After a successful first half of 2019, VTG is taking further steps to prepare for the future. Effective September 1, 2019, two new members with operational duties have been appointed to the Executive Board. Sven Wellbrock, previously Head of the Rail Europe Business Line, will take up the position of Chief Operating Officer Europe and Chief Safety Officer on the Executive Board. He will be responsible for all of VTG's railcar leasing and logistical activities in Europe, as well as for safety matters. Oksana Janssen, previously Head of the Rail Russia Business Line, will assume the role of Chief Operating Officer Eurasia and Far East. Her responsibility as a member of the Executive Board will include railcar leasing business in the named regions, and she will also oversee tank container and project logistics activities. Ms. Janssen's mandate further covers the services provided by VTG along the New Silk Road.
Günter-Friedrich Maas, Chief Logistics and Safety Officer since 2014, is leaving the company of his own volition to seek new entrepreneurial challenges. During his tenure on the Executive Board, Maas enjoyed particular success in restructuring and reorganizing the logistical units and initiating the Change project, which is of great importance to VTG.
In appointing two new top operational executives, VTG is both reinforcing the care it provides to international customers and stepping up its capabilities in the individual regions. Over the past few months, VTG has already been pressing ahead with the expansion of its portfolio in Asia, setting up new offices in Russia and Shanghai and establishing a commercial representation in Japan.
At the same time, dovetailing the railcar and logistical units under the mandate of the new Board members will facilitate customer care and consulting that is more comprehensive and complete. In particular, this move will enable the digitization offensive launched two years ago to be anchored and connected across all operations to the same extent – translating into the implementation and marketing of corresponding customer solutions.
"This decision takes us a further important step toward VTG's future orientation as a full-service international provider with a strong focus on rail," says Dr. Heiko Fischer, Chief Executive Officer of VTG AG. "The introduction of digitization in 2017 and the acquisition of Nacco last year were important milestones for us. They have crucially expanded our portfolio of products and services. The next steps are now to ramp up our international customer care activities, boost our regional capabilities and provide integrated, digital solution offerings to our customers."
Oksana Janssen and Sven Wellbrock will manage VTG together with Dr. Heiko Fischer (Chief Executive Officer) and Mark Stevenson (Chief Financial Officer).
"I am very pleased that we have been able to recruit Ms. Janssen and Mr. Wellbrock, two internal executives for this exciting but also demanding assignment. Both of them have known VTG and our industry for many years, which is a huge advantage," Fischer adds. "I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Maas, who, of his own volition, is stepping down from the Board after nearly six years. During this time, he has provided professional support, shown great dedication to VTG and engaged in constructive collaboration. The Executive Board and the Supervisory Board wish Mr. Maas all the best and every success for the future."